Page 30 of Mountains of Mist and Magic (A World of Sun and Shadow #4)

J ulietta was not eager to travel to the Tidal Kingdom for a variety of reasons. First, she didn't want to ride on a dragon. As nice as it was to arrive at a destination within a few hours instead of a few days, the tradeoff of riding on an unpredictable, potentially hostile animal seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.

Secondly, she wasn't thrilled to be heading to Triston's home. The thought of being in his kingdom, in his palace...made her feel uneasy. It was easier to ignore their mating when she couldn't visualize any type of future with him, but seeing the kingdom where she potentially would live if she accepted the bond, made it a little too...real.

And finally...there was her mother. Kalora would no doubt have expected them to have sealed their bond, and the thought of her mother knowing they had slept together...or hadn’t slept together...both repulsed and horrified her. They didn't have that kind of relationship, and Julietta had never once confided in her mother about such things. The fact that Triston had to explain to her that she was very much still a maiden was perhaps the most embarrassing moment of her life.

But, being the obedient girl her mother had raised her to be, she had written, asking her to come to the Tidal Kingdom, and was currently sitting upon the back of a dragon, ready to head up into the sky.

There was a great debate as to who would ride with whom. Selenia and Sion instantly paired up, but Esmeralda and Phillippe seemed to want nothing to do with each other. Triston agreed at once to escort his sister, which left Julietta with a reluctant Phillippe. Renya and Grayden rode upon Beauty.

Cyrus and Agatha would both transport themselves and Cressida by magic, figuring it was the easiest and safest way to get her there, even if the result was weakening their magic for a few days. The night prior, there was a huge argument as to whether to take Cressida with. Triston didn't want her to step foot in his kingdom, and with good reason, but Renya and Cyrus were both worried that she would potentially have knowledge that they would need. It was finally decided that she would be housed outside of the palace, on an island belonging to the Tidal Kingdom and right on their border, but nowhere near Triston's protected city. Cyrus was the lucky one in charge of her, and Julietta couldn't imagine having to stay in a cabin, on an island with her.

Phillippe hardly spoke the entire journey, which was fine with Julietta. Instead, she just held on to him fearfully, wishing that things were different. She wished she'd never been fated to Triston. She wished that she hadn't gotten her powers back, and that life could go back to her simple existence where no one expected anything out of her, and she could just blend in with the background. But now she had magic and had the potential to rule her kingdom in her mother's place when the time came, which frightened her to no end. She didn't know the first thing about ruling, and because she had no magic before, she wasn't brought up and trained for it.

It made her feel like the whole entire trajectory of her life had just spun out of control.

Her stomach lurched as Belinia dipped down, but Phillippe seemed to be enjoying all the sensations. She glanced around the skyline, looking for Triston and Esmeralda. Triston's long hair was tied back, and she could see his lips turned into a stony look of grim determination. Julietta wanted to comfort him, wanted to tell him that she would be there by his side, and that he wouldn't have to relive the worst event of his life by himself. But instead, they tried their best to ignore each other.

Renya had told her that Cyrus wouldn't help them break their bond while there was still a chance that they could restore the magic of their world, and that they would rely on her to help. She understood, but after their discussion, Triston seemed...disappointed. She could only assume that it was because he was eager to be rid of her.

It seemed like forever before they crossed out of the dry, desert air of the Sun Realm into the heavy tropical winds of the Tidal Kingdom. Julietta had never seen Triston's ancestral lands before, and she couldn't believe how lush and colorful everything was. Every shade of green imaginable painted the rainforest below, and she could practically smell the flowers from the back of the dragon. Julietta looked ahead as Beauty started to descend, heading for a stunningly beautiful beach below. The surf was an intense shade of turquoise, and Julietta's breath was nearly snatched from her chest as she took in the beauty of Triston's kingdom. Just as Belinia landed on the soft sand, Julietta saw a pair of navy dolphins flip through the water, and she was mesmerized.

Phillippe jumped off of Belinia's back and then helped Julietta down. Selenia and Sion landed next to them, and she could see Triston and Esmeralda a little bit up the beach. Triston was staring daggers at Phillippe, but Julietta couldn't fathom why, until she felt a subtle wave of unhappiness coming from him. Was he mad at Phillippe? But why?

The beach was warm, but instead of a dry heat, like at the Sun Realm, she instantly felt sticky and damp from the humidity.

Renya and Grayden marched down the beach together, towards Triston. Julietta could hear them trying to decide where to house the dragons.

“I think the island would be the best spot,” Triston said.

“I agree,” Esmeralda joined in. “Our people would be...most uneasy of their presence. Plus, the area around the island is full of fish, so they can hunt and not come too near the coastal villages.”

Renya agreed and looked at Grayden. “We'll take them over there. We've been there before.”

Julietta remembered that they had spent their honeymoon upon the private island, loaned to them by Triston and his sister as a wedding present.

“No, I'll do it, Sunshine.” Cyrus smiled sweetly at his daughter. “You need to rest some, too.”

Renya looked like she might refuse, but Grayden gently reached out and pressed his hand on her shoulder.

Triston nodded, and then motioned to the group. “This way. It's a bit of a walk, but I didn't want to get too close to any of the more populated areas of the kingdom. The last thing we need is pandemonium.”

The trek from the edge of the rainforest to the gate of the Tidal Kingdom was off to an awkward start. Julietta and Triston avoided each other, as did Phillippe and Esmeralda. Selenia and Sion were too busy chatting and giving each other meaningful and playful glances to notice the awkwardness, but the quiet tore at Julietta. All she could hear was the pounding of the surf against the sand, and the call of seabirds overhead.

After a few minutes, Esmeralda slowed her pace and hung back with Julietta.

“I heard from Renya...that you are fated to my brother?”

Julietta's cheeks burned, and not from the sun. “Yes. I'm sorry, we should have told you...or, rather, Triston should have.”

“It's okay...I understand how hard it can be to discuss...romantic relationships.” Esmeralda looked ahead, and Julietta could see her stare fixated upon Phillippe's back.

“We both want it undone,” Julietta said, the finality in her tone coming off harsher than she meant.

Julietta expected Esmeralda to agree, but instead, she stopped dead in her tracks.

“What do you mean? A fated mating is the greatest gift there is.”

Julietta bit the inside of her cheek. “Your brother...doesn't wish to have a wife. We both agreed that we would do whatever it took to sever the relationship.”

Esmeralda shook her head, appalled. “I can't believe my brother. I know that he puts on an air of aloofness, but I would have thought he'd be happy. If not for himself, for the prosperity of the kingdom.”

“It's me,” Julietta said, slipping off her shoes to shake out the sand. “He...isn't interested in me at all.”

“Really? Because...I'm sorry to admit this...but I saw the two of you together at the Sun Realm. In the parlor. I wasn't spying, but I saw...well, it seems to me that my brother greatly desires you.”

Julietta felt her heart throb for a split second. Could Triston really want her?

“He's told me he doesn't.”

Esmeralda looked ahead again, watching Phillippe trudge through the sand.

“Sometimes these men have no clue what they want until they don't have it anymore.”

By the time they reached the entrance to the Tidal Kingdom, the sun was just starting to set. Julietta's eyes were wide when she took in the rocky walls surrounding the serene bay. In the middle of a wooden bridge were two men, standing guard over several decorated canoes. The group crossed over to the men, and Triston conversed with them in a tongue Julietta didn't recognize, but the men nodded at what he said. Renya suddenly brushed past Julietta; her arms outstretched. She hugged one of the men, who looked a little bewildered.

“York!”

The fae suddenly smiled and began conversing quickly with Renya. Julietta could see Grayden stalking off to the side, his jealousy plain for anyone to see. Julietta wondered briefly if it was perhaps jealousy that she had felt from Triston when Phillippe had helped her off of the dragon, but she quickly dismissed the thought.

It didn't matter.

Triston moved past the men, ushering them in two groups to each of the canoes. He sat inside one, and the man Renya had called York, glided into the other. By the time they all piled in, Julietta was left only with Triston's canoe as an option. She entered the boat, and he held out his hand to her, helping her with her balance. The second their skin made contact, she could feel the heat between them, feeling the longing that resided deep within her.

From the way Triston's pupils dilated and his breathing changed, she knew he felt it too. He quickly dropped her hand and picked up an oar.

There was nowhere else to sit besides next to him. Sion and Selenia, as well as Esmeralda were cramped in the front, so she sighed and sat next to Triston. His jaw clenched noticeably at her presence, but he said nothing, dipping his oar into the still water and setting the boat off into a smooth glide.

Julietta's eyes took in the massive rocky sides of the cavern, awe spread across her face.

“It's beautiful, isn't it?”

Triston's words came quietly, just underneath his breath, as if he wanted no one to hear them but her.

“Yes. It isn't what I expected.”

“No? What did you imagine?”

She laughed. “Honestly, I pictured you living in a giant sandcastle.”

Triston's hearty laugh echoed off the walls, making every occupant of their boat, as well as the one slightly in front of them piloted by York, look back at him.

He lowered his voice again, eyes cast downward in embarrassment.

“You'll want to lower your head,” he commanded everyone in the boat. They approached a small opening into the wall of the rock, and they all squeezed together as the passage narrowed. After a few paces, the boats were engulfed in near darkness, but up ahead, Julietta could see sparkling crystals along the walls. She gasped, audibly.

Triston's fingers met hers, and he squeezed her hand slightly in the dark. She suppressed the strong urge she had to take advantage of the darkness and kiss him, but she remembered that Triston was still determined to break the bond. Anything more than basic friendship couldn't be tolerated. She moved her hand quickly back into her lap, debating whether or not to sit on her own fingers to remove the temptation of touching him.

Julietta wished she could see his facial expression, but the dim lighting from the crystals didn't permit it.

The darkness didn't last long, and suddenly the little canoe birthed itself from the passageway into a harbor. Julietta could see dozens of boats tied up, and citizens roaming all around the dock. At the top of the cavern, and breaking through the top, stood a magnificent palace.

It was quite a feat of design , Julietta thought. She glanced to her side, and she saw Triston carefully monitoring her reactions. She could tell that he wanted her to be impressed by his home. Feeling guilty about the way she snatched her fingers away from his, she met his eyes.

“It's mesmerizing, Triston.”

His eyes brightened with pride, and a smile of pleasure crossed his face once more.

“It could be your home, too,” he whispered.

At first, she didn't think she heard him right, and she laughed, but then realized he was entirely serious.

“Never mind,” he said, maneuvering the canoe to a free spot at the edge of one of the docks.

“Triston, I—”

But he had already hopped out of the boat, tying up the line and securing it to the dock. One by one they exited the little boat, but this time, there was no steadying hand to assist her.

Instead, Esmeralda linked her arm in hers. “What do you think, Julietta?” she asked, peering at her carefully.

“It's amazing. How on earth did you manage to carve out a palace into the side of the rock?”

“It was our ancestors, and they had strong magic to help them. The top of the palace actually goes beyond the roof of the cavern and sits above the sea.”

“I've never seen anything like it.” Julietta watched the citizens, who seemed happy and healthy, bustle around, going about their day. When they noticed Triston and Esmeralda, they bowed or curtsied, but otherwise left them alone. It was a stark difference from Julietta's kingdom, where they couldn't leave the gates without being followed by their citizens.

The group moved swiftly up the path, following Renya, Grayden and Phillippe up a series of switchbacks. When they finally got to the top, Julietta was out of breath, and she could feel her cheeks burning with the exercise.

Triston nodded to a few guards, who instantly parted and let them inside the palace. As Julietta moved farther into the room, her mouth gaped.

She couldn't imagine Triston living in such an incredible place. She always imagined him living roughly, but it was clear that the palace was comfortable and beautiful.

A woman came forth and introduced herself as the manager of the guest wing, and then took them to their rooms. Triston and Esmeralda let them know they would be summoned for dinner shortly, and then they both headed for their own rooms.

Julietta sank down on the opposite wall of her bedroom, watching the water cascading down, acting as a door-like barrier. She was glad to finally be away from the others; it was exhausting trying to deny the connection she had with Triston. She had hoped ignoring her need for Triston would help, but honestly, she felt like it was making it worse. Even now, she felt a trace of sweat along her brow and a tingling sensation along her scalp, as if he was near. She crossed the room to the large bed, covered with a beautiful green satin coverlet, and spread out on it, trying to calm her breathing.

After a few minutes, she gave up, the tug too strong. She didn't know what she thought she was going to do, but she changed her clothes into a simple silk dress and pulled back her hair, and opened the door. She didn't make it more than a few paces down the corridor before she stopped.

He was in the room next to hers. She could feel it.

She knocked softly on the door, part of her hoping he wouldn't answer, the other half feeling as though she'd die if she didn't kiss him.

Triston opened the door, and her heart fluttered. He wasn't wearing a shirt, and his trousers hung low on his hips. She hadn't realized how muscular he was, but every inch of his chest was defined. She had seen men's chests before, especially soldiers...but she had never seen one so close and one so perfect.

“I...” she stammered, not remembering why she came to his room.

His eyes met hers, and he sighed, tugging her inside his bedchamber and closing the door behind him.

Triston’s room was larger than hers, with a grand fireplace and several alcoves. One entire side of the wall was open-air windows. She was surprised that his door hadn’t been made of the cascading waterfalls like the others in the hall, but she figured as king he must need more security. The door to the bathroom was a streaming fall of water, however.

He crossed to the desk in the corner, as far away from the bed as he could get. She followed, the pull towards him strong. She sighed, and finally poured out her heart to him.

“Triston…I can’t fight this anymore. I’m…I’m so tired. I know you don’t desire to have me as your wife, but—”

“I do.”

She stopped, sure she had misheard him. There was no way he changed his mind; she was sure of it.

“What?”

He got up from his desk, padding over to her. His feet were bare, and it was the first time she’d seen him in such a state of undress. When he was a foot away, he stopped, towering over her.

“I want you. I can’t deny it anymore. I feel as you do. Perhaps…even more. I want to have you, claim you for myself. I want to devour you, explore every inch of your body until I know it better than my own. I want…I want you, Julietta.”

His words sank in, and she felt a peace wash over her body. He wanted her, and she wanted him. She wasn’t sure if it was their bond that had made her more in tune with his good qualities, or if it was getting to know him better that made her want him, but she no longer cared.

Before she could utter another word, he was on her, his fingers pulling at the ribbon in her hair, letting her curls fall freely.

“I love these curls. I love the way they bounce when you walk, I love the way they feel under my fingertips.” He ran his fingers through her hair, and her entire body flushed with heat. She pressed her palms against his chest, sighing softly as she felt his hard muscles.

“I like this,” she said shyly, suddenly even more nervous. But Triston gave a pleased growl, and then eased her backwards towards his bed.

She took a deep breath, suddenly very aware of how large he looked, his trousers bulging in front. How was that supposed to fit in her? She wished she could talk to Renya…but she would have probably been too embarrassed to anyways.

Triston seemed to sense her fear.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We don’t need to do anything you’re not ready for. I’ll make sure you’re ready when we finally seal our bond. Whether that’s tonight or a month from now.”

Seal their bond. That was what they had to do. Her mind fluttered with the knowledge that once they completed it, it would be even harder to separate. She couldn’t imagine that, because it was so hard for her to stay away from him now.

“I’m scared, Triston,” she confessed, as she lay back against his soft sheets, shivering slightly.

Instead of getting on top of her, he rolled her on her side, looking at her face and slowly stroking her arm. “Shhhhhh, my sweet mate. Nothing will ever hurt you while I’m here. You don’t need to be afraid of anything anymore. And as far as being afraid of what’s happening between us, I promise you, I will bring you nothing but pleasure.”

He leaned in and kissed her jaw, and then pulled her close to him. His fingers grabbed the hem of her dress, raising it to her thighs. She whimpered, and he stopped.

“Is this okay?”

She nodded, her voice now lost to her. Instead of moving his fingers on top of her undergarments, like before, he grabbed the waist of them and tugged, moving them down gently. She gasped, suddenly feeling so bare and exposed, even with her gown still on.

“I want to touch you,” he said, tracing soft patterns against her thighs. “I want to feel your bare skin, feel how much you want me.”

She slowly moved her legs, allowing him a small bit of access. He groaned, and his fingers slid in between her thighs.

“You’re already ready for me,” he praised, and she could feel how slick his fingers were against her.

“I…the…wetness?”

He looked at her, a soft grin pulling at his lips. “Your innocence…it makes me even more eager to have you. Yes. It helps you to…be more comfortable when I enter you and stretch you.”

She was scared, but the little bit he had done with his fingers a few evenings before felt good, so she nodded, widening her legs even more.

“Good girl,” he said, and she trembled, not sure why the phrase was so intoxicating. He moved one finger inside of her, and she bucked her hips.

He smiled again. “I’m glad you’re enjoying this. I won’t lie, before you, I had little desire to pleasure a woman. Now I can’t stop. All I want is for you to come apart in my arms.”

And she did.

How could she have possibly denied herself this? With this man?

Triston smiled as she recovered, and then slowly helped her up the bed.

“Don’t you need…” she frowned, wondering why he had stopped.

“Not now, my sweetheart. Soon. But not now. Instead–I want to show you something.” He rose from the bed quickly, and Julietta straightened her gown shyly.

Triston had gone to a bookshelf near his desk and pulled out a large wooden box. The outside of the box was engraved with eels, slithering around the edges. He sat at the desk, and then lifted the lid.

Julietta crossed to the container and peered inside. A small cylinder tube, carved up of conch shells, rested inside. He removed it from the box and pulled out a small piece of parchment from inside the cylinder.

“It’s the map from the diary. It’s waterproof. It washed up on shore a few years ago. I had people looking for it, and it…just appeared.”

She sensed a note of sadness in his tone and put her hand on top of his. He took her hand into his own and squeezed it, before placing a tiny kiss on the backside of her hand. She shuddered, the touch of his lips making her feel good everywhere.

“It must be hard, having to relive this.”

He looked at her, his gray eyes softer than she’d ever seen them. “Yeah. It is. But…having you here makes it easier.”

A knot caught in her throat, and she suppressed the urge to weep. Suddenly she felt…so connected to him. How could she have ever wanted to be separated?

As if he was reading her thoughts, he rose from the desk, and pulled her into his arms. He was so massive to her, and she felt safe and protected in his embrace. It was a new sensation, and she realized she’d never felt like this before.

He hugged her tighter, and then kissed her on top of the head. “I don’t know how I could have even thought separating from you was feasible. I need you more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life. You make…all this bearable.”

Triston spread out the map on the table, and everyone, except for Julietta and Esmeralda, crowded in to read it.

“No pushing and shoving,” Triston said, and Julietta smiled softly at him.

“Everyone sit back down,” Renya commanded, and they all returned to their seats. The air was charged with excitement. “Triston, tell us what we need to know.”

Julietta squeezed his hand for support underneath the table, and he rose.

“I won’t lie to you. This is going to be incredibly dangerous. This map has been around for thousands of years, and many fae have lost their lives in pursuit of whatever lies in the mountains. My parents included.” He gave her another look, and Julietta smiled, urging him on. “But the map shows the course to the mountains of magic, where legends say the gods held court. There are coordinates on the map, but they’ve been added by explorers over the years. I would recommend using my parents’ coordinates. As far as I can tell—they—we—were the closest to the mountains anyone has ever been before.”

“Where exactly are they?” Grayden asked.

“Past the last islands of the Tidal Kingdom, past the edges of the maps that we have. Most of our world has been explored except for the area north of here. Mist and fog cover much of the water, and it’s impossible to know what we will encounter.”

Cyrus stood. “This is going to be extremely dangerous. I won’t blame anyone if they decide to stay here. There are other ways to help our world, and no one will think any less of you. But once we begin, there’s no turning back. So, I want each of you to think carefully tonight, and decide if you feel able to come on this mission. Tomorrow at breakfast we’ll come together and plan. Please be prepared to give me your answer then.”

The rest of the meal was fairly silent, and Julietta ate very little, nervous about what lay ahead. She would go, no matter what. Triston was going, and she wouldn’t be separated from him. Plus, for the first time in her life, she might be useful. Her powers were stronger than most, and there was a good chance they would need them at some point. As scared as she was, she couldn’t stay behind if they might need her.

She pushed around the seafood on her plate. It was delicious, and something she had never experienced before, but her stomach just couldn’t handle it. Instead, she found herself looking around the majestic palace and wondering what it was going to be like to live here with Triston. Julietta let herself imagine what it would be like to dine with him every day, be his partner. It made her…incredibly happy.

Triston must have sensed her happiness, because he grabbed her hand as they finished their meal. Everyone went off towards their rooms, and Triston led her to their corridor. But instead of stopping at Julietta’s room, he pulled her along to his.

“I’ve had your things placed in my room,” he said darkly. “I won’t be separated from you anymore.”

Her breathing hitched in her chest, and she was now even more nervous, but she allowed him to pull her farther into his room.

There were candles lit on every surface of his bedchamber, and the entire air smelled of fresh flowers. There were exotic petals lining the path to the bed, and her trunk was now in the corner of his room. The sheets were pulled back, inviting.

This is it , she thought, summoning her courage. She was scared of this monumental event, but knew that she would be safe in Triston’s hands.

She circled the room, looking at the flowers. They were an entire rainbow of hues, and she stopped to admire them. When she turned back around to comment to Triston, she gasped.

He was on one knee.